The six-year-old elephant in the room
It’s been a juggling act around here lately. I have a six-year-old son and I have a design business to run. Very occasionally, I’ll mention my son to a client… the struggle of childcare and balancing remote school and work. But for the most part I feel like I need to keep it secret.
Our school district just announced that the first two weeks of school will be remote. And I’m sure that won’t be the end of it. Work has slowed down because of this pandemic and I’m torn between being beyond ready for my business to bounce back, and knowing that when it does, I’ll be stressed to the max. I know EVERYONE is dealing with this. But am I allowed to talk to you, my lovely clients, about it?
I think I should be. I think we should be talking about it.
Am I allowed to say, “This is great week for your project because I actually have childcare!” Or, “I think I can rope the grandparents into a few extra hours today to get that done!” Do I have to hide it? Will it make you think of me as less of a businessperson if I’m also juggling a six-year-old?
If this is my reality, I don’t think I should have to hide behind other excuses. It’s the kid! I’ve got three hours today of peace and quiet and they are ALL YOURS! But after that it’s going to be tough. So, let’s just say it.
I was on my monthly accountability call recently and a colleague admitted that it was great to hear that he wasn’t the only one dealing with childcare issues. That he has been trying to hide that fact from his clients and he felt alone in it. Even on these accountability calls, a safe space, he had not felt comfortable sharing his true struggle—having a two-year-old!
It is something so many of us are dealing with but we’re not talking to each other about.
Will this note make you more or less inclined to send me work? I’d say neither is my goal. My purpose is just to reach out and say hey, I’m still here. I’m working when I can, getting things done before everyone else is awake, and, like all of you, taking it one day at a time.
Do you have an elephant in the room? Don’t feel like you have to hide it from me.